I used 2 x 4 dog lot wire for the top on mine and it WILL keep big stuff out. SOOOOO many chicken littles crying out, "the sky is falling" Dang, some might think ya'll are children and not mature (not old) wise parents of 4 boys!! That lumber will be fine used to brace tin sides or whatever YOU decide to use it for!! Lordy, people. Meg, Ben, I think you can figure things out based on how many farms ya'll have been on and the 'steaders you follow and the gardens you have visited!!! Send prayers people, not "chicken little" advice!!! There is no one remotely knowledgable out here that doesn't know about arsenic in the old pressure treated lumber, these people are from Cali!!!!! The strangest, weirdest, most regulated state in the US! 🤣😂 Sorry, (not sorry), but ya just gotta' laugh at some of the comments!! @Out In The Country is right, everything we do is personal and individual to each one of us!! There are TOO many deciding blanket issues that affect us all that should remain an individual decision! Peace out and LOVE each other, abide in God's Love First, and all will be well in the end! Love and kisses! Not too late to plan a fall garden with the collards, kales, cabbages, that will take you through the winter!! Jim Wilson just showed a video of his covered beds. You can cover the greens and eat fresh all winter long! My collards were covered in 13" of snow and were so good and they weren't covered either. Never even suffered a brown leaf from it.
Yes, Ben and Meg are such capable people. When they do feel the need for advise or a helping hand, all those friends that were there on demo day have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them. They have a plan and the will. The rest of us can enjoy watching the journey.
Sweet people, I am very happy for you! So looking forward to your adventure in building your homestead. Also very happy you mentioned you are not working yourselves to exhaustion and forgetting why you are doing this! Family the most precious gift! ❤❤❤
Think about getting a couple of geese to protect your flock. They will kill snakes and warn you of any other predators trying to get in. I love seeing you guys bring life back to that old property. It's something I've dreamed of for a lot of years but am unable to do so it's fun to see you do it.
Think about planting flowers as a cash crop.. Low or no maintenance types like bulb or tuber types, Irises, lilies and even hibiscus bushes. Also sunflower seeds are cheap. Plant tons at the edge of the woods, along fence rows etc, as a food source for winter. Plant them by the swamp to beautify it and make it useful.
Nancy Hall Sweet Potato -- Kudos on propogating this rare variety! I love your idea of spreading slips around to preserve the heirloom variety. So glad that Miss Charlotte is propogating hers to replace the ones her dad lost. That kind of thing can bring a grown man to tears! Best wishes from Kate in Olympia, WA -- 7/3/2019.
Wow, so much has changed. That mobile home was like crossing out of the desert into the promise land!!! You made it!!! ALL that help was truly God's provision. Continued blessings.
You have the bones of a home, which is fixable. Will take time. Really need a good herd dog and goats or whatever you need. We had a few dogs all Black Labs in the Bush and helped with leading bears and wolves away, only 1 in all the years got bite, within a week he was out. Our neighbors 10 - 20 miles away had purebred dogs. Mine were left or found. I knew if the kids were doing something wrong or in danger the barks were different. No snakes there but other danger people showing up how I don't know? Boats,Helios & puddlejumbers only way in to us. Great life and so much nature. You are building a better life for your Family life. Peace, Love with Harmony sent.
You might want to check out a simple radiant barrier for the roof of your chicken palace, and stacking straw bales around the walls. As long as they aren't getting too wet to hurt the steel siding, along with the barrier, it will keep your mother cluckers warm in the winter and cool through the summer.
Love that open floor plan ; ) When I rehabbed the old farmhouse I'm in now, I wanted thicker insulation, so I sistered in wider studs and used six inch fiberglass insulation. The house is so much easier to heat and doesn't get hot till afternoon. About the only folks who don't have to worry about a winter fuel bill are the people who have an outdoor wood furnace. In the summer I use box fans in the windows and pull air into the house from the shady side of the house and push it out the window of the sunny side of the house. Also, when I wash, I'll hang the laundry on hangers from close to the ceiling where the fan bringing air into the house blows on the clothes and get "evaporative cooling"! It's really nice!
It's great to see you both so happy! We bought 4 acres in NZ 5 years ago, still got tons to do but don't care! We're just enjoying the peace and quiet and family time. 😁
Megan and Ben you little love birds sitting in a tree. You guys look so sweet together. Love you all though we never have met. How can that ever be? Continued prayers as you build your life together as one.
I so enjoy watching you , i also bought 13.4 acres last spring all wooded, and had enought money left to clear a driveway and spot for tiny home, but then everything was on hold as i had 3 surgeries for cancer, i hope to get started soon on my plans,but meanwhile i'm cheering you on, Love the plans, God bless
Like it or not, I've "adopted" your family! Love watching your dreams come true, thanks for generously sharing with us all! Glad you are keeping family-time in the forefront, you don't want your boys to come to hate the move if it's all work. Can't wait to see what chickens you get! Old tires make great dust baths.
I love you guys on that not wasting....it's not just a money saver it's the saving the planet;) and teaching kids right.... not to be wasteful and be more adaptable....
I have been involved in building houses and remodelling for over 40 years. I have worked helping people repair their trailers a few times. Get a permit and put up a six room house that you can incorporate into your grand design. A trailer is a twenty year house. Has to be rebuilt every 20 years. Cheaper to do it right one time, even if it means waiting until you can afford it. My ex gf had a trailer that a hurricane ruined. She had a 16x 40 shed I converted to finished living space from framing to finish. For about ten thousand. That included a full bath, kitchen, electrical, plumbing, painted and trimmed, new flooring. I did all the work. So there was no labor cost. She said it was nicer than trailer ever was. Took the mini split from the trailer for the hvac. The hot water heater was also salvaged from the trailer.
You guys are ding great! The coop is coming along, the trash is being relocated, you have a fire pit and the start of a vegetable washing station! Amazing. You can be very proud of the work you've accomplished. CHICKENS!! Blessings from NE Missouri!
fyi: OUT IN THE COUNTRY is a couple starting a homestead. they are rebuilding their mobile home. gutting it and redesigning. the 'dad' explains things really well. and the chicken coop he built is awesome. can't wait to see you in your home! you two are just too cute. this old lady loves watching your journey. god bless
The house is going to look amazing when it is done! I love how you guys are using the same home that was on the property! 🤗💕 You guys are so humble and kind. I love your channel💚💚💚
Looking great so far! Enjoy your time together and building together too. When we finally get our/my spot it will be bitter sweet. Fulfillment of my husband and I's dream. Praying he will live to get to move on to it as he was diagnosed with stage 4 gallbladder cancer 3 months ago. Every day we are together is a giant gift from God. Hence why I said enjoy your time together building your dream because as we all know tomorrow is not promised.
Bird netting will catch and hold snakes, they try to go through but end up dying. Last year our hens were saved from five copperheads that tried unsuccessfully to get into their pen. This year, so far the netting has saved them from three copperheads and three big chicken snakes. I buy the 14 x 14' netting and cut it to the width I want to use.
The Carolinas seem to have the market on supersize rat snakes. They are incredible climbers as well. I have put plastic snake fence on the coop area from starting 6 inches underground to cover all the walls, gables and roof areas. Have had snakes everywhere, but none on the coop area so far. Time to get a snake hook and grabber to escort them back into the woods. I keep the grass very short around the house and barn. Snakes don't like being in the open and after 40 years of watching them I find them in hiding places everywhere we live. We even had a rat snake home visit. That was interesting.
"Dancing".....totally laughed out loud!!🤣🤣🤣 You guys are doing great. Glad your taking time during the day to hang with the boys. You dont burn yourselves out and the boys love it. After all, they been hanging out with you for months on end with your country travel. You both need to go jump in the pool!! Love seeing your videos. ❤❤❤
That's great about the spring and the water test! Must have good water. And I'm sure y'all already know about guineas and ticks, and ducks and snakes, so that's covered. With chickens and a few rabbits to supply black gold, your garden should look like Eden in no time! 👍🏻✌🏻
So awesome to be working on your OWN property! I totally understand about the heat. We are dealing with the same here in Kentucky. I have taken to doing outside work mostly in the morning and early evening. Inside work I try to reserve for the hottest time of the day. Speaking of work on the homestead. Have you heard of, or seen any of The Self Reliant Roadshow? I did a shout out for them on my channel. They are doing some AWESOME work! Everybody talks about "community", but Bob and Mrs. B are actually doing something to encourage making connections and building community. They are traveling the country to homesteads where they have been invited and helping with from anything from simple projects, to advice in certain areas of homesteading, to major projects like helping Jeff at Bobblehead Homestead get his new home ready to move into. I am asking other channels to help them out by giving them a shout out. They are doing some really great work and deserve to be spot lighted. I go into more detail on my video "This Is Important". PLEASE, check them out and consider giving them a shout out.
Awesome progress Hollar Family. Your one step at a time approach is wise. When you take your time with any project unexpected gifts always appear. When we set up our temporary holiday trailer first thing we did was to construct a full length deck. Then we built a secondary roof system over top of the trailer. The additional roof system keeps us dry & warm when needed and cool when needed. Wishing you loads of success on your journey.
LOL! You have"roadlag"! It does take time to get going. Especially when you are in the hottest part of the season. Just pace yourself. Don't be disappointed if you don't do what you wanted to do. You have plenty of time to get it done. Just think, "YOU ARE HOME", and it will sail by quickly. Good luck, pace yourself,and cherish the time you have with your kids and each other!
We really appreciate the updates. Definitely wait til winter for the remaining trash as the snakes, spiders and ticks will be history. Much easier to see the trash when the leaves are gone too. Keep up the great work.
I hope you'll highlight the process while you're working on the mobile home. I think it would be very helpful to those of us who live in old mobile homes. So excited to see your homestead bloom into reality!
Y'all are not crazy.. it's a dream,and a great one at that..hard work with the kids has never hurt anyone. I sure they would love to help.. God bless yall.
On the garden, start out small. You guys can grow a ton of food in as little 100 square feet. Then do a green manure crop like clover legume mix in a larger area for next growing season . Low maintenance and doable quickly without a large amount of money or risk.
Welcome to NC gang, when it is hot it is hot. You are doing the right thing work early and late and rest the middle of the day. That is what my wife and I do in remodeling our new home. I have to have my nap time hahaha just take your time and it will happen before you know it.
I look forward to every video. Slow and steady in this heat. You will have so much done in no time at all. Thank you for the update. Much respect 😁❤️ Cheryl
I am maybe repeating myself but Hunny and I were 14 years remodeling our retirement home while we lived in it. Just pace yourselves and you'll get there. Remember that children grow up FAST and you can NEVER get those years back so just know that this is YOUR life and we only see what it is you are comfortable sharing so advice without all the pertinent facts is of no real use. I only ask to be enlightened and entertained while peeking into your world...you're doing a fine job building YOUR dream so never second guess your decisions and enjoy this journey building the Holler Homestead!!!:):):)
I hope you all have all the luck in converting that mess into your new homestead. With all the other homesteaders helping, your dream will come true, God bless your family. Save me one of those sweet potatoes when there ready thank you, Chas, from jersey joker homestead
I have some heirloom sweet potatoes from my great grandfather. My family has planted them every year for probably close to 100 years. They are the best sweet potatoes I have ever had. The inside of them is a lot darker than what you buy in the store. If you want some I can get you some slips. I have a ton left over. I also live in NC.
OMG, I'm so excited for you guys. I see a great big beautiful empty pallet that is going to be amazing for your family. Sending positive energy and many blessings for your family and journey.
I was really hoping the snake skin was a rare piece of teakwood grown on your property, but no such luck. You are taking the new types of critters very well, and I say southern living ain't for sissies! Doing things in shifts during this heat is wise. Love the tours! Love you guys!
We bought twenty acres last June and moved our camper to the land last September, where we've been living since then. We sold our home of fourteen years and am now building our little cabin in the woods. This journey is amazing and I certainly understand the amount of work that y'all are having to put in. It is so worth it. We got our garden in this spring and it has been a game changer for us. We will expand it next year, but it is providing food for us this summer. I am SO excited for y'all to get something in the ground. God is so good y'all! Keep doing what your doing and if you get enough propagated, I'd love to help preserve those heirloom sweet potatoes. 💖
My brother and I still own our childhood home which is a 1971 mobile home on the coast of Florida and we have been fixing it bit by bit so it can be done, so proud of what y’all have accomplished good job.
I would suggest you add a room on the mobile home...at the family room. Possibly storage and/or closet...just to give more space. If you would like to use wood heat, this would be the place. You could put a screen porch on it, or, go all the way to the front to expand the kitchen. I know there will be canning and freezing...would give you space for a freezer.. Just a suggestion...but something that would only make sense when you're doing the renovation, Love what you're doing.
Yes Michael cook even As a minimalist, if you plan to do any canning or have a large pantry Etc you need that room. Eventually a screened-in porch is vital here in the south. It's an extra room so you can feel outside and not deal with bugs. Put a fan overhead and it's wonderful. You will spend a lot of time out there. Just don't put it on the Southside
If you have raccoons around they are smart and flexible to crawl through slim area. Enjoy your homestead, do what you can, enjoy the planning, sunrises, sunsets and your family. Blessings!
Be easy on yourselves and enjoy the process. This is a lifetime project that will change and evolve as the years pass. Middle of the day is a good time for the local pool. ;-)
I'm glad to hear you're taking some time to rest and spend family time, the journey is what will create the memories not the ultimate destination....ya know? So many stories will be told to your son's future ladies and grandkids, "When we first got here...we didn't have...we always used to...that first summer...." I love the sunflower idea and that sink is just downright cute and so practical, I love it. The pool sounds heavenly. God bless you all. : )
Yes, I understand the feeling of "pressure" that accompanies an attempt to preserve and perpetuate something extremely rare! I'm working on three heirloom varieties for 2019: Pawnee Eagle Corn, Warted Incan Creampuff squash, and Ozette Potato. I wish you every success with your endeavors! Kate.
Love the out door sink. Yes, plant sunflowers, they entice bird life. You have done so much cleaning up. You have certainly been working hard. Interesting about the bacteria and the use of drops of chlorine to clean the water. Good priorities guys, family life is so important. Kids will remember their childhood and wow, they certainly are making some great memories. Have fun and keep those smiles happening, so good to see. Cheers, Jo from Australia xxxxx
God bless you and your family. A juvenile hawk got in to our chick nursery last year. It had that black netting on it. My 2 cents, hardware cloth is better. Enjoy this time of your life. Please don't feel like you must rush. Good things will come.
Looking good. 👍🏻Everytime you upload an update it looks so much better and gets harder and harder to even remember what the buildings looked like when you started.👍🏻👍🏻
Hi guys, from Missouri! Make sure the coop is tight (I got ¼ inch hardware cloth on my window) so I can leave it open all the time. We started our homestead last year and I wanted a permanent coop but also grass for chickens. We have the chicken door in the middle of a back wall and I didn't build a run. Instead I use 164ft long premier 1 electric fence and move it periodically from left to center to right of the chicken door. Top is open. I did put a pair of Turkey decoys (used for hunting) with their heads looking up-ish in the "pen" and moved them daily to look more real 😉 We got a lot of hawks but never lost a chicken. The fence did fry up a black snake once and a skunk too. Also when chicks were little I put cd's on the grass (shiny side up) pointing different directions to blind the hawks if they ever tried to swoop down 😉 We don't need the Turkey decoys anymore. The skin could've been a black snake, you want those around (just not in the coop) they will get rid of copperheads. Wish you best of luck!
If you put chicken wire right over the coop roof and plant climbers (pretty, edible or both) to grow over it that will help keep the roof cool and use the extra growing space.
Bathroom and shower needs first, then kitchen before winter! Everything else comes in time. But I have faith in you'll!! You'll get her done! I know it. Life hands you trash, you make treasures. I can see it already! Lol much love and zen hugs from Texas!
When we moved to my daddys farm in western Va, he told us "now, theres a big 'ol black snake in the out buildings, leave him alone". Black snakes keep mice, rats and poisonous snakes away so leave them alone. We had chickens, but the snake never messed with them or the eggs. We had a raccoon get in the hen house, the chickens free ranged from then on out, they roosted in the bushes.
Do you know what kind of chemical pesticides are in that pressure-treated lumber? They say with some pesticides you need to be careful handling the wood and that burning can send some of the arsenic up in smoke so don't inhale. I am so happy for you ALL! Baby steps and I will be scouting around for Nancy Hall sweet potatoes. Have a great rest of the week.
For your chicken house roof, I suggest you paint the top silver, and staple silver foil insulation under the rafters. It will help with the heat a lot. Also, wrap your waterer in the silver insulation to keep the water cooler.
I hate that people leave trash all over their property. We are still cleaning up trash from our land. Dump fees add up. You guys are going so great! Keep up the good work. Y’all are a great team! You need goats and pigs ASAP❤️.
I love your enthusiasm & your visions of what your going to accomplish. This is going to be a great video series to go with you on. Thank you for inviting us to go along on your journey. I can't wait to see it grow.
This was really a good update. Glad the orange slime was no big deal. The well is safe! Almost ready for chickens! You are already growing, just not in the ground yet. Yay for the lumber pile! Fire pit..woodash. Berries already there growing and bonus elderberries! Working smarter in the cooler parts of the day! Outdoor sink..bonus! Really so much has been accomplished. 1 task, 1 day gets you closer. Kids locked out of the barn...but hey...pool time! It takes a minute to get your brain wrapped around not traveling. You guys will get there. Hugs from the Okie's. 😊❤👍
My toddler is napping so I have time to watch! :) Awesome to see your progress and yes take. your. time. Enjoy the land and especially the kids. They grow up too fast. There is so much potential in re-purposing that junk on your property. I had ideas swarming while binge watching last night and today. I'm sure you get plenty of ideas from others.
Great work so far guys. As for the heat -- welcome to the South -- just take it easy and hydrate. Get the kids some good canteens or stainless steel water bottles they can carry around with them, and make sure they stay hydrated while out and about doing kid things. Camelbaks may not be a bad idea. That way they won't set it down and forget it. Get those raised beds up so you can get some good fall crops in before it gets too late, but be careful of that shipping crate. Make sure there's no oil if it was used to ship an engine. That may be a better choice for flower gardens rather than food crops. Edit: Forgot to mention, if you get Camelbaks for them, watch out for the cheep knock-offs. The bladders on them give the water a funky taste, and no telling what leaches out of them.
When you live in the south you learn to tackle outdoor chores early in the am and late in the afternoon as the sun lowers in the sky. I’m out in the garden just before sunrise and before sunset. Of course the other thing is the mosquitoes and giant creepy crawlies that live out here are another consideration on planning projects. Love your family and your enthusiasm and optimism. I’m a child of the 80’s so I’m loving the references and music. Take care!
Thank you soooo much for providing so much inspiration to us. So much of our stories are similar. Hugs and love from NSW Australia 💗💗💗 Enjoy the fun and rest.
I sprayed my vegetables with water in the morning when it got late in the year. Everything was dead in the country side except my garden. It didn't even have to be that early in the morning. Don't harvest green beans when their wet, they get "rust". We had beansprouts in the snow they do well! Many vegetables I liked when fresh, I never liked before. We planted marigolds with our tomatoes, keeps the bugs away and so much to learn about companion planting and rotating crops.
Pretty place. You're projects will come together in time. Nice homestead in the making. You could draw a project board of everything, and make it look like what you want it to be. Make it so that when it is finished you can see it come to life. The garden, the chicken coup, the outer building, and the house. If you draw a picture, it will be like a architect design, and you will really be able to focus on your end result. The work you've done so far is amazing.
We've got that red film too in our creek. I never knew what it was. It makes sense that it is related to iron. We have a bunch of old scrap iron that someone dumped upstream in our creek. There is none of it upstream of the scrap iron.
My nesting box for my 3 chickens is a covered cat litter box and my coop is an old kids Wendy plastic playhouse. It vents well, has one perch plastic windows are nailed shut, door to the pen is open all the time. I'm so loving your new home! ❤️😍😍. Feel the love
Love to see your updates. Think you've become part of all of our families now! You are going to be the envy of the NC homesteaders, though there are really good people there. Ben's gigantic skills will have your looking palatial by Wintertime. Love your enthusiasm to get the dirt on your finger nails! Good for you. You'll be brilliant! You ARE brilliant, people! TFS
Someone mentioned getting goats for the kudzu. They will also take care of poison oak and ivy. I feed mine big bale hay in a rack during the winter. the hay they drop on the ground makes a great compost pile. Just something to think about You guys are doing a great job. Best of everything for you!!
G'day folks. One step at a time. You all will get there. Thank's for inviting me to visit and thank you for sharing, It's nice to catch up. Don't let it all overwhelm you. Like I said, one step at a time. You're an inspiration. God bless you n yours
You might like Rhode Island Reds. They lay huge double-yoke brown eggs and are big enough for meat. They lay an egg a day each. Murray McMurray had chicks on sale and might still. I've tried flocks of all the other large egg layers and have ended up favoring these. They're easy going. Another thing that has worked well for me and them is to let them out to roam one hour before roosting. That way they get fresh bugs and grass then go back in by themselves before having time to dig dust holes, eat the garden and destroy the flower beds! When they are let out they are so funny to watch because they're so excited. Guineas are wonderful for warning you of predators and strangers, plus they eat every bug, flea and tick . . and termites! If you raise them with the chicks, they will also safely roost with them and be protected. Fall weather will be pure Heaven! :)
Big bag of striped sunflower seeds for birds would be a good batch of sunflowers. Big crate could be a great starter compost bin. Take it easy in the heat.
You just described my life. " run out of something that you need, it goes on hold until we get to town to get what we need." We buy as much as we can afford and then once that has been used the projects get put on hold again until we can get back to town. LOL Slow going but "slow and steady wins the race," right?
Love watching the progress. Y'all are great at passing on the vision, I can see your future homestead in my mind. "Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it." Hab 2:2
Reposting: Hi Meg and Ben. The wooden crate shown at 10:48 is most likely a fruit crate. Since it is a larger size, my suspicions are for apples. We see wood crates all over the place at orchards in eastern WA. Farmers stack the fruit crates on pallets and then use a forklift to store the apples before processing or shipping. The wood from fruit crates is not pressure-treated, so it could be used for your raised bed garden. Best wishes, Kate.
Y’all are gonna be fine😊 I lived in a RV for over 3 years with 3 girls traveling the US when I was y’all age. You will have a beautiful place, you already do. Thank you for sharing your adventures, it touches my heart 🌻 oh that iron in the spring here in Alabama will stain your skin. I don’t know about there, but it will here. I can’t tell you how many times I came home orange when I was a kid, 50 something years ago🌻 lol🤣
I used 2 x 4 dog lot wire for the top on mine and it WILL keep big stuff out. SOOOOO many chicken littles crying out, "the sky is falling" Dang, some might think ya'll are children and not mature (not old) wise parents of 4 boys!! That lumber will be fine used to brace tin sides or whatever YOU decide to use it for!! Lordy, people. Meg, Ben, I think you can figure things out based on how many farms ya'll have been on and the 'steaders you follow and the gardens you have visited!!! Send prayers people, not "chicken little" advice!!! There is no one remotely knowledgable out here that doesn't know about arsenic in the old pressure treated lumber, these people are from Cali!!!!! The strangest, weirdest, most regulated state in the US! 🤣😂 Sorry, (not sorry), but ya just gotta' laugh at some of the comments!! @Out In The Country is right, everything we do is personal and individual to each one of us!! There are TOO many deciding blanket issues that affect us all that should remain an individual decision! Peace out and LOVE each other, abide in God's Love First, and all will be well in the end! Love and kisses! Not too late to plan a fall garden with the collards, kales, cabbages, that will take you through the winter!! Jim Wilson just showed a video of his covered beds. You can cover the greens and eat fresh all winter long! My collards were covered in 13" of snow and were so good and they weren't covered either. Never even suffered a brown leaf from it.
Thank you for that Gail!! I needed to hear that boost. ❤️
@@TheHollarHomestead Hug that wonderful husband and ya'll jump in that pool and chillax!
Gail Elwood -- How to find Jim Wilson? I am interested in winter crops, etc.
I think maybe a deep breath is needed and just sit back and enjoy the development of the Holler Homestead.
Yes, Ben and Meg are such capable people. When they do feel the need for advise or a helping hand, all those friends that were there on demo day have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them. They have a plan and the will. The rest of us can enjoy watching the journey.
Sweet people, I am very happy for you! So looking forward to your adventure in building your homestead. Also very happy you mentioned you are not working yourselves to exhaustion and forgetting why you are doing this! Family the most precious gift! ❤❤❤
Hi...... Ben and Meg , I really enjoy your video, thank you for sharing your video homestead chicken farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 🐔🐓🐥👕🐖🌱🎥👍👍👍
Think about getting a couple of geese to protect your flock. They will kill snakes and warn you of any other predators trying to get in. I love seeing you guys bring life back to that old property. It's something I've dreamed of for a lot of years but am unable to do so it's fun to see you do it.
Think about planting flowers as a cash crop.. Low or no maintenance types like bulb or tuber types, Irises, lilies and even hibiscus bushes. Also sunflower seeds are cheap. Plant tons at the edge of the woods, along fence rows etc, as a food source for winter. Plant them by the swamp to beautify it and make it useful.
Nancy Hall Sweet Potato -- Kudos on propogating this rare variety! I love your idea of spreading slips around to preserve the heirloom variety. So glad that Miss Charlotte is propogating hers to replace the ones her dad lost. That kind of thing can bring a grown man to tears! Best wishes from Kate in Olympia, WA -- 7/3/2019.
Wow, so much has changed. That mobile home was like crossing out of the desert into the promise land!!! You made it!!! ALL that help was truly God's provision. Continued blessings.
You have the bones of a home, which is fixable. Will take time. Really need a good herd dog and goats or whatever you need. We had a few dogs all Black Labs in the Bush and helped with leading bears and wolves away, only 1 in all the years got bite, within a week he was out. Our neighbors 10 - 20 miles away had purebred dogs. Mine were left or found. I knew if the kids were doing something wrong or in danger the barks were different. No snakes there but other danger people showing up how I don't know? Boats,Helios & puddlejumbers only way in to us. Great life and so much nature. You are building a better life for your Family life. Peace, Love with Harmony sent.
You might want to check out a simple radiant barrier for the roof of your chicken palace, and stacking straw bales around the walls. As long as they aren't getting too wet to hurt the steel siding, along with the barrier, it will keep your mother cluckers warm in the winter and cool through the summer.
Love that open floor plan ; )
When
I rehabbed the old farmhouse I'm in now, I wanted thicker insulation, so
I sistered in wider studs and used six inch fiberglass insulation. The house is so much easier to heat and doesn't get hot till afternoon.
About the only folks who don't have to worry about a winter fuel bill are the people who have an outdoor wood furnace.
In the summer I use box fans in the windows and pull air into the house from the shady side of the house and push it out the window of the sunny side of the house. Also, when I wash, I'll hang the laundry on hangers from close to the ceiling where the fan bringing air into the house blows on the clothes and get "evaporative cooling"! It's really nice!
It's great to see you both so happy! We bought 4 acres in NZ 5 years ago, still got tons to do but don't care! We're just enjoying the peace and quiet and family time. 😁
Megan and Ben you little love birds sitting in a tree. You guys look so sweet together. Love you all though we never have met. How can that ever be? Continued prayers as you build your life together as one.
I so enjoy watching you , i also bought 13.4 acres last spring all wooded, and had enought money left to clear a driveway and spot for tiny home, but then everything was on hold as i had 3 surgeries for cancer, i hope to get started soon on my plans,but meanwhile i'm cheering you on, Love the plans, God bless
It's nice to forget about the clock and be getting up when the birds start to sing. The sunrises are so beautiful!
Very thoughtful with the sweet potatoes 😘 💕 Slow down and breath! You have your lifetime to enjoy your homestead and lives. Bless you 💕
Like it or not, I've "adopted" your family! Love watching your dreams come true, thanks for generously sharing with us all! Glad you are keeping family-time in the forefront, you don't want your boys to come to hate the move if it's all work. Can't wait to see what chickens you get! Old tires make great dust baths.
I love you guys on that not wasting....it's not just a money saver it's the saving the planet;) and teaching kids right.... not to be wasteful and be more adaptable....
I have been involved in building houses and remodelling for over 40 years. I have worked helping people repair their trailers a few times. Get a permit and put up a six room house that you can incorporate into your grand design. A trailer is a twenty year house. Has to be rebuilt every 20 years. Cheaper to do it right one time, even if it means waiting until you can afford it. My ex gf had a trailer that a hurricane ruined. She had a 16x 40 shed I converted to finished living space from framing to finish. For about ten thousand. That included a full bath, kitchen, electrical, plumbing, painted and trimmed, new flooring. I did all the work. So there was no labor cost. She said it was nicer than trailer ever was. Took the mini split from the trailer for the hvac. The hot water heater was also salvaged from the trailer.
You guys are ding great! The coop is coming along, the trash is being relocated, you have a fire pit and the start of a vegetable washing station! Amazing. You can be very proud of the work you've accomplished. CHICKENS!!
Blessings from NE Missouri!
fyi: OUT IN THE COUNTRY is a couple starting a homestead. they are rebuilding their mobile home. gutting it and redesigning. the 'dad' explains things really well. and the chicken coop he built is awesome. can't wait to see you in your home! you two are just too cute. this old lady loves watching your journey. god bless
The house is going to look amazing when it is done! I love how you guys are using the same home that was on the property! 🤗💕
You guys are so humble and kind. I love your channel💚💚💚
I am glued to my monitor. Marathon watching all these videos in order. LOVE THEM!
Put the wood ash in your chicken dust bath to prevent mites
Looking great so far! Enjoy your time together and building together too. When we finally get our/my spot it will be bitter sweet. Fulfillment of my husband and I's dream. Praying he will live to get to move on to it as he was diagnosed with stage 4 gallbladder cancer 3 months ago. Every day we are together is a giant gift from God. Hence why I said enjoy your time together building your dream because as we all know tomorrow is not promised.
Bird netting will catch and hold snakes, they try to go through but end up dying. Last year our hens were saved from five copperheads that tried unsuccessfully to get into their pen. This year, so far the netting has saved them from three copperheads and three big chicken snakes. I buy the 14 x 14' netting and cut it to the width I want to use.
Wow, great to know, I hope they read this one
The Carolinas seem to have the market on supersize rat snakes. They are incredible climbers as well. I have put plastic snake fence on the coop area from starting 6 inches underground to cover all the walls, gables and roof areas. Have had snakes everywhere, but none on the coop area so far. Time to get a snake hook and grabber to escort them back into the woods. I keep the grass very short around the house and barn. Snakes don't like being in the open and after 40 years of watching them I find them in hiding places everywhere we live. We even had a rat snake home visit. That was interesting.
"Dancing".....totally laughed out loud!!🤣🤣🤣 You guys are doing great. Glad your taking time during the day to hang with the boys. You dont burn yourselves out and the boys love it. After all, they been hanging out with you for months on end with your country travel. You both need to go jump in the pool!! Love seeing your videos. ❤❤❤
That's great about the spring and the water test! Must have good water. And I'm sure y'all already know about guineas and ticks, and ducks and snakes, so that's covered. With chickens and a few rabbits to supply black gold, your garden should look like Eden in no time! 👍🏻✌🏻
So awesome to be working on your OWN property! I totally understand about the heat. We are dealing with the same here in Kentucky. I have taken to doing outside work mostly in the morning and early evening. Inside work I try to reserve for the hottest time of the day.
Speaking of work on the homestead. Have you heard of, or seen any of The Self Reliant Roadshow? I did a shout out for them on my channel. They are doing some AWESOME work! Everybody talks about "community", but Bob and Mrs. B are actually doing something to encourage making connections and building community. They are traveling the country to homesteads where they have been invited and helping with from anything from simple projects, to advice in certain areas of homesteading, to major projects like helping Jeff at Bobblehead Homestead get his new home ready to move into. I am asking other channels to help them out by giving them a shout out. They are doing some really great work and deserve to be spot lighted. I go into more detail on my video "This Is Important". PLEASE, check them out and consider giving them a shout out.
Awesome progress Hollar Family.
Your one step at a time approach is wise. When you take your time with any project unexpected gifts always appear.
When we set up our temporary holiday trailer first thing we did was to construct a full length deck. Then we built a secondary roof system over top of the trailer. The additional roof system keeps us dry & warm when needed and cool when needed. Wishing you loads of success on your journey.
LOL! You have"roadlag"! It does take time to get going. Especially when you are in the hottest part of the season. Just pace yourself. Don't be disappointed if you don't do what you wanted to do. You have plenty of time to get it done. Just think, "YOU ARE HOME", and it will sail by quickly. Good luck, pace yourself,and cherish the time you have with your kids and each other!
We really appreciate the updates. Definitely wait til winter for the remaining trash as the snakes, spiders and ticks will be history. Much easier to see the trash when the leaves are gone too. Keep up the great work.
Depending on the size of the pool I put a pop-up canopy over my kids pool to keep them from getting sunburned
Dropped in to catch up on how you are doing. Progress! Little by little, I am there. The well report is wonderful news. Love and prayers!
We are getting there! Miss you!!
I hope you'll highlight the process while you're working on the mobile home. I think it would be very helpful to those of us who live in old mobile homes. So excited to see your homestead bloom into reality!
Y'all are not crazy.. it's a dream,and a great one at that..hard work with the kids has never hurt anyone. I sure they would love to help.. God bless yall.
On the garden, start out small. You guys can grow a ton of food in as little 100 square feet. Then do a green manure crop like clover legume mix in a larger area for next growing season . Low maintenance and doable quickly without a large amount of money or risk.
Welcome to NC gang, when it is hot it is hot. You are doing the right thing work early and late and rest the middle of the day. That is what my wife and I do in remodeling our new home. I have to have my nap time hahaha just take your time and it will happen before you know it.
I look forward to every video. Slow and steady in this heat. You will have so much done in no time at all. Thank you for the update. Much respect 😁❤️ Cheryl
I am maybe repeating myself but Hunny and I were 14 years remodeling our retirement home while we lived in it. Just pace yourselves and you'll get there. Remember that children grow up FAST and you can NEVER get those years back so just know that this is YOUR life and we only see what it is you are comfortable sharing so advice without all the pertinent facts is of no real use. I only ask to be enlightened and entertained while peeking into your world...you're doing a fine job building YOUR dream so never second guess your decisions and enjoy this journey building the Holler Homestead!!!:):):)
I hope you all have all the luck in converting that mess into your new homestead. With all the other homesteaders helping, your dream will come true, God bless your family. Save me one of those sweet potatoes when there ready thank you, Chas, from jersey joker homestead
I have some heirloom sweet potatoes from my great grandfather. My family has planted them every year for probably close to 100 years. They are the best sweet potatoes I have ever had. The inside of them is a lot darker than what you buy in the store. If you want some I can get you some slips. I have a ton left over. I also live in NC.
So glad you are having that family time! Like you said it's so important. Children grow up way too fast! Enjoy them! And each other. Hugs :)
Love watching you and your beautiful family interact.
OMG, I'm so excited for you guys. I see a great big beautiful empty pallet that is going to be amazing for your family. Sending positive energy and many blessings for your family and journey.
I was really hoping the snake skin was a rare piece of teakwood grown on your property, but no such luck. You are taking the new types of critters very well, and I say southern living ain't for sissies! Doing things in shifts during this heat is wise. Love the tours! Love you guys!
We bought twenty acres last June and moved our camper to the land last September, where we've been living since then. We sold our home of fourteen years and am now building our little cabin in the woods. This journey is amazing and I certainly understand the amount of work that y'all are having to put in. It is so worth it. We got our garden in this spring and it has been a game changer for us. We will expand it next year, but it is providing food for us this summer. I am SO excited for y'all to get something in the ground. God is so good y'all! Keep doing what your doing and if you get enough propagated, I'd love to help preserve those heirloom sweet potatoes. 💖
My brother and I still own our childhood home which is a 1971 mobile home on the coast of Florida and we have been fixing it bit by bit so it can be done, so proud of what y’all have accomplished good job.
I would suggest you add a room on the mobile home...at the family room. Possibly storage and/or closet...just to give more space. If you would like to use wood heat, this would be the place. You could put a screen porch on it, or, go all the way to the front to expand the kitchen. I know there will be canning and freezing...would give you space for a freezer.. Just a suggestion...but something that would only make sense when you're doing the renovation,
Love what you're doing.
Yes Michael cook even As a minimalist, if you plan to do any canning or have a large pantry Etc you need that room. Eventually a screened-in porch is vital here in the south. It's an extra room so you can feel outside and not deal with bugs. Put a fan overhead and it's wonderful. You will spend a lot of time out there. Just don't put it on the Southside
If you have raccoons around they are smart and flexible to crawl through slim area. Enjoy your homestead, do what you can, enjoy the planning, sunrises, sunsets and your family. Blessings!
Yeah. It's amazing how small a hole can be that a large raccoon can fit through
Be easy on yourselves and enjoy the process. This is a lifetime project that will change and evolve as the years pass. Middle of the day is a good time for the local pool. ;-)
That's cool that you are keeping the sweet potato going, things are going great on your homestead you have all the time in the world now 🙂👍🐝🦋
I'm glad to hear you're taking some time to rest and spend family time, the journey is what will create the memories not the ultimate destination....ya know? So many stories will be told to your son's future ladies and grandkids, "When we first got here...we didn't have...we always used to...that first summer...."
I love the sunflower idea and that sink is just downright cute and so practical, I love it. The pool sounds heavenly.
God bless you all. : )
Yes, I understand the feeling of "pressure" that accompanies an attempt to preserve and perpetuate something extremely rare! I'm working on three heirloom varieties for 2019: Pawnee Eagle Corn, Warted Incan Creampuff squash, and Ozette Potato. I wish you every success with your endeavors! Kate.
Love the out door sink. Yes, plant sunflowers, they entice bird life. You have done so much cleaning up. You have certainly been working hard. Interesting about the bacteria and the use of drops of chlorine to clean the water. Good priorities guys, family life is so important. Kids will remember their childhood and wow, they certainly are making some great memories. Have fun and keep those smiles happening, so good to see. Cheers, Jo from Australia xxxxx
God bless you and your family.
A juvenile hawk got in to our chick nursery last year. It had that black netting on it. My 2 cents, hardware cloth is better.
Enjoy this time of your life. Please don't feel like you must rush. Good things will come.
Im so happy for you!!! It all looks great! Good plans for everything! Enjoy it Hollers!!! 😄😄
Everything comes, just as long as you keep going. It all looks great.
Looking good. 👍🏻Everytime you upload an update it looks so much better and gets harder and harder to even remember what the buildings looked like when you started.👍🏻👍🏻
Love the update keep it real hugs to all
Listening to your plans and "seeing" your vision is so inspiring. I enjoy these videos immensely. Thank you for sharing!
Hi guys, from Missouri!
Make sure the coop is tight (I got ¼ inch hardware cloth on my window) so I can leave it open all the time. We started our homestead last year and I wanted a permanent coop but also grass for chickens. We have the chicken door in the middle of a back wall and I didn't build a run. Instead I use 164ft long premier 1 electric fence and move it periodically from left to center to right of the chicken door. Top is open. I did put a pair of Turkey decoys (used for hunting) with their heads looking up-ish in the "pen" and moved them daily to look more real 😉 We got a lot of hawks but never lost a chicken. The fence did fry up a black snake once and a skunk too. Also when chicks were little I put cd's on the grass (shiny side up) pointing different directions to blind the hawks if they ever tried to swoop down 😉 We don't need the Turkey decoys anymore.
The skin could've been a black snake, you want those around (just not in the coop) they will get rid of copperheads. Wish you best of luck!
Just had to end with 80s music just made the video! 😂 great video. Good luck to y’all! Everything has vision which is awesome!
If you put chicken wire right over the coop roof and plant climbers (pretty, edible or both) to grow over it that will help keep the roof cool and use the extra growing space.
Rats climb up climbing plants
I agree, this is more fun than HGTV! 🌸
Bathroom and shower needs first, then kitchen before winter! Everything else comes in time. But I have faith in you'll!! You'll get her done! I know it. Life hands you trash, you make treasures. I can see it already! Lol much love and zen hugs from Texas!
Great job, good progress, much calmer, good plans, nice smiles! Mike
🌻🌻🌻 I LOVE the sunflower idea.🌻🌻🌻
When we moved to my daddys farm in western Va, he told us "now, theres a big 'ol black snake in the out buildings, leave him alone". Black snakes keep mice, rats and poisonous snakes away so leave them alone. We had chickens, but the snake never messed with them or the eggs. We had a raccoon get in the hen house, the chickens free ranged from then on out, they roosted in the bushes.
Do you know what kind of chemical pesticides are in that pressure-treated lumber? They say with some pesticides you need to be careful handling the wood and that burning can send some of the arsenic up in smoke so don't inhale. I am so happy for you ALL! Baby steps and I will be scouting around for Nancy Hall sweet potatoes. Have a great rest of the week.
Love every little update, on your making plans/dreaming of your future💗
For your chicken house roof, I suggest you paint the top silver, and staple silver foil insulation under the rafters. It will help with the heat a lot. Also, wrap your waterer in the silver insulation to keep the water cooler.
I hate that people leave trash all over their property. We are still cleaning up trash from our land. Dump fees add up. You guys are going so great! Keep up the good work. Y’all are a great team! You need goats and pigs ASAP❤️.
I love your enthusiasm & your visions of what your going to accomplish. This is going to be a great video series to go with you on.
Thank you for inviting us to go along on your journey. I can't wait to see it grow.
This was really a good update. Glad the orange slime was no big deal. The well is safe! Almost ready for chickens! You are already growing, just not in the ground yet. Yay for the lumber pile! Fire pit..woodash. Berries already there growing and bonus elderberries! Working smarter in the cooler parts of the day! Outdoor sink..bonus! Really so much has been accomplished. 1 task, 1 day gets you closer. Kids locked out of the barn...but hey...pool time! It takes a minute to get your brain wrapped around not traveling. You guys will get there. Hugs from the Okie's. 😊❤👍
You guys are awesome! Enjoying being along for the ride!
My toddler is napping so I have time to watch! :) Awesome to see your progress and yes take. your. time. Enjoy the land and especially the kids. They grow up too fast. There is so much potential in re-purposing that junk on your property. I had ideas swarming while binge watching last night and today. I'm sure you get plenty of ideas from others.
Great work so far guys. As for the heat -- welcome to the South -- just take it easy and hydrate. Get the kids some good canteens or stainless steel water bottles they can carry around with them, and make sure they stay hydrated while out and about doing kid things. Camelbaks may not be a bad idea. That way they won't set it down and forget it.
Get those raised beds up so you can get some good fall crops in before it gets too late, but be careful of that shipping crate. Make sure there's no oil if it was used to ship an engine. That may be a better choice for flower gardens rather than food crops.
Edit: Forgot to mention, if you get Camelbaks for them, watch out for the cheep knock-offs. The bladders on them give the water a funky taste, and no telling what leaches out of them.
When you live in the south you learn to tackle outdoor chores early in the am and late in the afternoon as the sun lowers in the sky. I’m out in the garden just before sunrise and before sunset. Of course the other thing is the mosquitoes and giant creepy crawlies that live out here are another consideration on planning projects. Love your family and your enthusiasm and optimism. I’m a child of the 80’s so I’m loving the references and music. Take care!
Thank you soooo much for providing so much inspiration to us. So much of our stories are similar.
Hugs and love from NSW Australia 💗💗💗
Enjoy the fun and rest.
I sprayed my vegetables with water in the morning when it got late in the year. Everything was dead in the country side except my garden. It didn't even have to be that early in the morning. Don't harvest green beans when their wet, they get "rust". We had beansprouts in the snow they do well! Many vegetables I liked when fresh, I never liked before. We planted marigolds with our tomatoes, keeps the bugs away and so much to learn about companion planting and rotating crops.
Pretty place. You're projects will come together in time. Nice homestead in the making. You could draw a project board of everything, and make it look like what you want it to be. Make it so that when it is finished you can see it come to life. The garden, the chicken coup, the outer building, and the house. If you draw a picture, it will be like a architect design, and you will really be able to focus on your end result. The work you've done so far is amazing.
So super exited for you guys, I also have 4 boys, great blessing, so happy you are recording this new beginning in your lives, congratulations!
We've got that red film too in our creek. I never knew what it was. It makes sense that it is related to iron. We have a bunch of old scrap iron that someone dumped upstream in our creek. There is none of it upstream of the scrap iron.
My nesting box for my 3 chickens is a covered cat litter box and my coop is an old kids Wendy plastic playhouse. It vents well, has one perch plastic windows are nailed shut, door to the pen is open all the time. I'm so loving your new home! ❤️😍😍. Feel the love
Love to see your updates. Think you've become part of all of our families now! You are going to be the envy of the NC homesteaders, though there are really good people there. Ben's gigantic skills will have your looking palatial by Wintertime. Love your enthusiasm to get the dirt on your finger nails! Good for you. You'll be brilliant! You ARE brilliant, people! TFS
I am sure you guys will be blessed more. I love to see your videos amazing honest simple family trying to get the best of the land while recycling...
Someone mentioned getting goats for the kudzu. They will also take care of poison oak and ivy. I feed mine big bale hay in a rack during the winter. the hay they drop on the ground makes a great compost pile. Just something to think about You guys are doing a great job. Best of everything for you!!
G'day folks. One step at a time. You all will get there. Thank's for inviting me to visit and thank you for sharing, It's nice to catch up. Don't let it all overwhelm you. Like I said, one step at a time. You're an inspiration. God bless you n yours
You might like Rhode Island Reds. They lay huge double-yoke brown eggs and are big enough for meat. They lay an egg a day each. Murray McMurray had chicks on sale and might still. I've tried flocks of all the other large egg layers and have ended up favoring these. They're easy going. Another thing that has worked well for me and them is to let them out to roam one hour before roosting. That way they get fresh bugs and grass then go back in by themselves before having time to dig dust holes, eat the garden and destroy the flower beds! When they are let out they are so funny to watch because they're so excited. Guineas are wonderful for warning you of predators and strangers, plus they eat every bug, flea and tick . . and termites! If you raise them with the chicks, they will also safely roost with them and be protected. Fall weather will be pure Heaven! :)
I’m so thrilled for you guys! 😃🙏🏻♥️
God Bless You!
I'm still laughing my butt off at the "dancing" wasps. Thanks for the update.
Big bag of striped sunflower seeds for birds would be a good batch of sunflowers.
Big crate could be a great starter compost bin.
Take it easy in the heat.
You just described my life. " run out of something that you need, it goes on hold until we get to town to get what we need." We buy as much as we can afford and then once that has been used the projects get put on hold again until we can get back to town. LOL Slow going but "slow and steady wins the race," right?
Love watching the progress. Y'all are great at passing on the vision, I can see your future homestead in my mind. "Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it." Hab 2:2
That pile of lumber will probably hiss too. Yikes. Be safe. So exciting!! Enjoy your new place.
Keep chin up your getting there slowly but surely. Good luck with what your aiming for. Stay happy
Take it easy on yourselves! You have done an amazing job so far👍
Reposting: Hi Meg and Ben. The wooden crate shown at 10:48 is most likely a fruit crate. Since it is a larger size, my suspicions are for apples. We see wood crates all over the place at orchards in eastern WA. Farmers stack the fruit crates on pallets and then use a forklift to store the apples before processing or shipping. The wood from fruit crates is not pressure-treated, so it could be used for your raised bed garden. Best wishes, Kate.
Y’all are gonna be fine😊 I lived in a RV for over 3 years with 3 girls traveling the US when I was y’all age. You will have a beautiful place, you already do. Thank you for sharing your adventures, it touches my heart 🌻 oh that iron in the spring here in Alabama will stain your skin. I don’t know about there, but it will here. I can’t tell you how many times I came home orange when I was a kid, 50 something years ago🌻 lol🤣